Job 29:9 Meaning and Explanation
“The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Even rulers fell silent in Job's presence, holding their hands over their mouths in respectful restraint.
What Does Job 29:9 Mean?
Job continues recounting the deference shown him. Princes, men accustomed to speaking and being heard, would stop their words and lay a hand over the mouth, a gesture of self-imposed silence and respect, waiting to hear what Job would say.
To silence the powerful simply by entering is no small thing. Job's wisdom carried such weight that the great chose to listen rather than speak. The image rebukes the rush to talk; there is a humility in laying a hand over one's own mouth, a readiness to receive before pronouncing, that wisdom always honors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 29:9
What does Job 29:9 mean?
Even rulers fell silent in Job's presence, holding their hands over their mouths in respectful restraint.